Guilin blossoms into global ecotourism hub courtesy of flower economy

Guilin, a tourism city in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, is drawing on its rich ecological resources to strengthen its burgeoning flower economy, injecting new vitality into its high-quality ecotourism industry.

As one of China's first pilot cities to transform ecological products into economic value, Guilin strives to integrate ecological resources with tourism, agriculture and technology. The city saw its forest wellness and ecotourism output exceed 15.7 billion yuan ($2.3 billion) in the first quarter, marking year-on-year growth of 7.92 percent.

Rafting at Mao'er Mountain. [Photo/Guangxi Daily]

Focusing on six key areas – healthcare, wellness, elderly care, fitness, intelligence, and education – Guilin has developed 30 unique flower-viewing bases. At Mao'er Mountain, known as "South China's First Peak", the annual Rhododendron Cultural Tourism Season draws crowds each spring, boosting local hospitality and specialty product sales. Similarly, Nanxi Mountain Park's cherry blossoms, with 26 varieties and nearly 3,000 trees, attract over 100,000 visitors each spring.

Zizhou Park's tulip exhibition, featuring 35 varieties and 180,000 pots, drew 48,000 visitors on the day of the Chinese New Year alone, with 303,000 people pitching up during the week-long Spring Festival holiday. This surge in numbers underscores the park's status as a prime micro-vacation and tourist hotspot.

Guilin's immersive flower tourism experiences foster new consumer vitality by merging floral landscapes with wellness, education, folklore, and technology. This strategy enhances cultural significance and brand influence.

A colorful sea of flowers in Quanzhou. [Photo/Guangxi Daily]

In rural areas like Lushui village, the blossoming flower economy transforms local livelihoods, with agritourism and homestay alliances driving economic growth. This model ensures ecological protection, industrial development, and increased income for local people, embodying a sustainable development success story.